JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Team Charleston, you are certainly impressive! I am most thankful for the professionalism, expertise, and abundance of positive attitude I have seen while visiting around the base. You do and offer so much to the entire community. Regardless of your status or branch of service, what you do truly makes a positive contribution in supporting our warfighters, providing ready forces and sustaining our precious families.
I look forward to teaming with you and working together to achieve a most beautiful Team Charleston future. This certainly will not happen by itself. This will require the dedication of all of us to continue striving for personal and team excellence.
Often, when people ask me how one can attain excellence, I offer the following. Although listed separately, I believe these excellence types are inseparable and can be achieved by conscious effort.
This is what I call success wisdom, and I hope it helps you in climbing the cliffs and mountains you will face along life's journey:
1. Decide what you want: Work on three or four fundamental goals that will sum the whole person concept: Spiritual, Family, Professional, Personal, Fitness, Unit and Flag. This will give you focus and purpose!
2. Organize and set timelines: See every facet of your life. What's weak? What's strong? Even if you feel you've found achievement, don't become complacent. Remember, achievers always move forward. Buy a calendar and jot, with timelines clearly in mind, the goals you decided. Do this for the entire year, and check your progress monthly or quarterly.
3. Forget Rambo: In our world, the super-hero effect hurts us in achieving wholeness as people and organizations. Don't try it alone. Rally the support of your entire team. Think about who's going to help you. Share your goals and aspirations with mentors; have them inquire about your progress at regular intervals.
4. Commit to excellence: We've all heard many quotes from Vince Lombardi. This one is one of my favorites: "Unless you put everything you have into your pursuits, what is life worth? The quality of life is in direct proportion to your commitment to excellence." For me, this means we can control our future and the conditions of that future (continuous improvement). We have the power to dedicate, commit ourselves, and be the best: most superior and most professional.
I'll leave you with one more thought. Use every opportunity to discover what you've been gifted to do. Carry your motivation to every corner of Team Charleston. Never forget or underestimate the power of your contribution. Continue climbing the road to success. I join you in our team journey!